Effect of Microaerobic Fermentation in Preprocessing Fibrous Lignocellulosic Materials

Abstract

Amending soil with organic matter is common in agricultural and logging practices. Such amendments have benefits to soil fertility and crop yields. These benefits may be increased if material is preprocessed before introduction into soil. We analyzed the efficiency of microaerobic fermentation (MF), also referred to as Bokashi, in preprocessing fibrous lignocellulosic (FLC) organic materials using varying produce amendments and leachate treatments. Adding produce amendments increased leachate production and fermentation rates and decreased the biological oxygen demand of the leachate. Continuously draining leachate without returning it to the fermentors led to acidification and decreased concentrations of polysaccharides (PS) in leachates. PS fragmentation and the production of soluble metabolites and gases stabilized in fermentors in about 2-4 weeks. About 2 % of the carbon content was lost as CO(2). PS degradation rates, upon introduction of processed materials into soil, were similar to unfermented FLC. Our results indicate that MF is insufficient for adequate preprocessing of FLC material.

Effects of microaerobic fermentation and black soldier fly larvae food scrap processing residues on the growth of corn plants (Zea mays)

“…During fermentation, a compost leachate rich in carboxylic acids, alcohols and amines, is produced and should be continuously drained. Liquid, in the form of water or leachate pre-treated by aeration, must be added to the system periodically to maintain moisture levels, which also enhances the extraction of more nutrients from the solid phase into the liquid phase (Alattar et al, 2012). MF processing is unlike conventional composting, where most nutrients remain locked in the solid phase and salinity, especially sodium and chloride (an undesirable portion of post-consumer food and manure composts), cannot be decreased (Tester and Parr, 1982;Turan, 2008).…”

“…Conditions inside the fermenter are microaerobic, moist, and should evolve toward acidic (pH approximately 3.4-3.8) due to buildup of organic acids (mainly lactic and acetic). (Alattar et al, 2012).…”

Lactic acid fermentation of human excreta for agricultural application

“…This study showed that lactic acid fermentation combined with thermophilic composting during a two year run experiment might contribute to an overall shorter composting period (33 days) compared to the usual aerobic composting (45-180 days) (Wang Lactic acid fermentation of human excreta for agricultural application 62 et Fornes et al, 2012). Thermophilic temperatures in the current study were achieved during the second-fifth day without any manual turning with passive aeration only, such type of compost being described as of the "micro-aerobic type" (Wang et al, 2007;Green and Popa, 2011;Alattar et al, 2012), however to prove this determination of the oxygen concentration in the compost pile is required.…”

Microbial Attributes of Infested Soil Suppressive to Bacterial Wilt by Bokashi Amendments

“…The ecology of these microorganisms is very dependent on the chemical, physical and biological composition of the soil, but it has been reported that such microbes play a relevant role in the natural or induced suppression of the soil, a rather complex phenomenon that results in reduction of the deleterious effects of various phytopathogenic microorganisms [12]. In the preparation of a bokashi, the microorganisms act on the organic matter and ferment it [13], with the consequent production of organic acids, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and polysaccharides important for plant growth. However, the role of bokashi controling plant disease still unclear.…”